Specialist Learning Support Assistant - Medical Needs

PLEASE APPLY ONLINE AT SUFFOLK JOBS DIRECT - JOB NUMBER 25082 AND NOT VIA NHS JOBS

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. As a Specialist Learning Support Assistant (Medical Needs) in our Inclusion Services, you'll see first-hand the impact of your work on children and young people with complex medical needs across Suffolk. By providing specialist support, youll help pupils access education, build confidence, and thrive in a safe and supportive environment by providing the medical interventions they require.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Main duties of the job

Your role and responsibilities

In this rewarding and varied role, youll work closely with children, families, schools, and healthcare professionals to support pupils with complex medical needs on a one-to-one basis. No two days are the same, but every day brings the opportunity to make a real difference.

Support children and young people aged 2 to 19 with complex medical needs to access education.

Deliver medical interventions in line with individual healthcare plans, such as administering medication, gastrostomy or naso-gastric feeding, oxygen therapy, and tracheostomy care (full training provided).

Assist with moving and handling, personal care, and meeting pupils daily hygiene, nutritional and developmental needs.

Maintain accurate records and contribute to quality assurance processes.

Build positive working relationships with families, schools, care coordinators, and other professionals.

Identify and escalate safeguarding or risk concerns appropriately.

About us

The team

Our Specialist Learning Support Service supports children and young people with complex medical needs to access education across Suffolk. Youll be part of a supportive and knowledgeable team, managed and trained by qualified childrens nurses (Care Coordinators).

Were proud of the care, expertise, and teamwork that underpin everything we do. Training is provided to help you develop specialist medical skills, and youll be supported to grow in confidence and capability within the role.

Community-based and flexible working are part of how we operate, supporting a healthy worklife balance wherever possible.

Details

Date posted

02 October 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£29,542 a year

Salary needs to be pro rata'd as part time

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time,

Part-time,

Flexible working,

Term time hours

Reference number

F0062-26-0000-25082

Job locations

8 Russell Road

Ipswich

Suffolk

IP1 2BX

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

PLEASE APPLY VIA SUFFOLK JOBS DIRECT JOB NUMBER 25082 AND NOT VIA NHS JOBS

Job title

Specialist

Learning Support Assistant (Medical Needs)

Job Reference

25082

Grade

and Salary

4 £29,542

per annum (pro rata)

This role

includes performance related pay progression

Service

Health and Community Services (0-19), Public Health and

Communities

Team

Inclusion

Services

Location

Countywide Hybrid and community working

Hours per week

28 hours per week (term time

only working)

Status

Post 1: Permanent

Post 2: Fixed

term/Secondment to cover an absent post holder who is on secondment, expected

to end 15 October 2027 subject to change

This role may offer the

following flexible working options

Working

part time hours (eg different hours/days to those advertised)

Job

sharing

Working

compressed hours (eg a nine-day fortnight)

Use

of flexitime / time off in lieu

Hybrid

working options, including some home working

Working

adjusted core hours (eg starting later and finishing later or other patterns)

About us

As a modern and effective council, we

understand the importance of being flexible and well-connected in the ways we

work. We focus our ambitions on doing whats right for people, our partners and

our communities - both now and for the future.

Thats why, as one of the largest employers

in Suffolk, we believe in empowering everyone. Through career variety and

collaborative working, accessible career paths and professional development.

The support and

care we offer encourages and enables you to be the best you can be. To make a

meaningful impact on the world around you. To achieve a unique sense of pride

in what you do, why you do it and where. Reimagine the possibilities.

Main purpose of the job

The Specialist Learning Support Assistant supports pupils

with complex medical needs to enable them to access education by providing the

medical interventions the pupil requires.

Typical Responsibilities of a role at this level

Effective

Practice

Work within the service guidelines, statutory guidance and legal

frameworks.

Engage in individual and group supervision with managers and

practice leads.

Reporting and

Accurate Recording

To maintain up to date records and data using electronic devices

and systems as directed and to provide reports as required.

To contribute to ensuring successful completion of Quality

Assurance processes within team.

Information,

Advice and Signposting

To provide information and signposting for children, young people

and families to relevant universal and specialist services in the local area

and beyond where appropriate.

Multi-Agency and

Partnership Working

Actively build relationships and networks with other professional

groups and services in the locality.

Managing Risk

and Safeguarding

To identify risk and safeguarding concerns and escalate

immediately where appropriate.

To undertake other tasks allocated manager or senior colleagues,

in keeping with the responsibilities of the grade:

Work in accordance with the Councils statutory responsibilities,

policies and service procedures and comply with equality and diversity

policies, procedures and legislation.

Maintaining customer confidentiality in accordance with the Data

Protection Act and SCC guidance.

Participate in performance appraisal and consultation with team

managers as required.

Participating in training and development

opportunities, in order to improve personal knowledge, skills and

effectiveness.

About the team

The

Specialist Learning Support Service supports children and young people aged

between 2 and 19 years old

with complex medical needs to access education by providing medical

interventions.

The service is managed, supervised, and trained by Care

Coordinators who are qualified childrens nurses

The Specialist Learning Support Assistants support children and

young people on a one-to-one basis providing medical interventions to enable

them to access education

Relevant training will be provided to achieve expertise in the

management of the medical needs of the pupil. This will be according to the

child and young persons individual health care plan.

They work under the direction of a teacher in a whole class,

group, or individual situation.

There will be a need to interpret information or situations and to

solve them as per school and Suffolk County Council policies and to refer more

complex medical issues to the Care Coordinators.

Specialist Learning Support Assistants, once trained, have a

requirement to supervise others and may demonstrate tasks to new colleagues or

give advice and guidance to them

What you will be expected to

deliver in the role

Deliver medical interventions according to

the child/young persons individual care plan as necessary. These may include gastrostomy feeding,

naso-gastric feeding, administration of emergency and regular medication, oral

suction, care of a tracheostomy tube, wound care, administration of oxygen,

monitoring oxygen saturation levels.

Significant moving and handling of pupils per their needs using

appropriate equipment as per individualised risk assessment and meeting their

daily hygiene, nutritional, respiratory, and developmental needs in the school

and community setting.

Share responsibility for emergency management of the pupil they

are allocated to with the senior management team of the school in which they

are working.

Liaise with therapy staff on a regular basis and regarding the

individual therapy goals of that pupil.

Administer medication in line with individual school policy.

Liaise with teaching staff on a regular basis

and regarding the Individual Education Plan.

Receive training and assist pupils with communication e.g.

Makaton, switches, symbols, and/or communication aid programming.

Attend training in relevant medical competencies and mandatory

training.

Supervise new team members and demonstrate tasks or give advice

and guidance to others.

Day to day tasks

may include:

Travelling

with a child/young person from their home to school in order to provide any

interventions required full training is given for this

Administering medication

Providing artificial feeding and/or other

interventions such as oral suction or oxygen

Transferring non-mobile children and young people

between different types of equipment such as seating

Although this list provides examples of what you will be doing its not

intended to be exhaustive and you will

have personal objectives linked to our People Plans and Strategies that will be

discussed and agreed with your line manager when you start.

Person Profile what you will

bring to the team

Qualifications and

professional membership

Suitable

practitioner level qualification at Level 3 or 2 years equivalent

experience

in healthcare.

Evidence of continuing

professional development

Values and

personal qualities

Demonstrates personal

values and behaviours aligned to our corporate WE ASPIRE values

Passionate about making a

positive difference for Suffolk

Committed to listening to

children and families and to working collaboratively with them to address

concerns

Specialist

knowledge skills and experience

Accurate and specific

information recording and record keeping skills

Experience of solution

focused approaches in practice

Relevant experience of

working directly with children, young people and their families

Evidence of the ability

and commitment to support and motivate children, young people and their

families

Good organisational

skills

The ability to work

independently whilst being aware of when to seek further guidance

Demonstrate a willingness

to undertake training as required to update knowledge and skills

Demonstrate the ability

to work independently as well as part of a team

Knowledge of relevant

legislation, regulations and guidance as appropriate to role (desirable)

Knowledge of associated

agencies and their working practices (desirable)

Experience of working

alongside parents who may have mental health, learning or physical disability

or sensory impairment (desirable)

Experience of working

with a wide range of agencies and communities (desirable)

Additional

requirements

The ability to work in a

variety of locations and clients homes including rural areas

A DBS check will be

undertaken for the successful candidate

If you think you have what it takes to be

Wed appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Travel requirements

Frequent Travel Essential - You will need to travel, so you must either hold a full, current

driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility

requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means.

Job responsibilities

PLEASE APPLY VIA SUFFOLK JOBS DIRECT JOB NUMBER 25082 AND NOT VIA NHS JOBS

Job title

Specialist

Learning Support Assistant (Medical Needs)

Job Reference

25082

Grade

and Salary

4 £29,542

per annum (pro rata)

This role

includes performance related pay progression

Service

Health and Community Services (0-19), Public Health and

Communities

Team

Inclusion

Services

Location

Countywide Hybrid and community working

Hours per week

28 hours per week (term time

only working)

Status

Post 1: Permanent

Post 2: Fixed

term/Secondment to cover an absent post holder who is on secondment, expected

to end 15 October 2027 subject to change

This role may offer the

following flexible working options

Working

part time hours (eg different hours/days to those advertised)

Job

sharing

Working

compressed hours (eg a nine-day fortnight)

Use

of flexitime / time off in lieu

Hybrid

working options, including some home working

Working

adjusted core hours (eg starting later and finishing later or other patterns)

About us

As a modern and effective council, we

understand the importance of being flexible and well-connected in the ways we

work. We focus our ambitions on doing whats right for people, our partners and

our communities - both now and for the future.

Thats why, as one of the largest employers

in Suffolk, we believe in empowering everyone. Through career variety and

collaborative working, accessible career paths and professional development.

The support and

care we offer encourages and enables you to be the best you can be. To make a

meaningful impact on the world around you. To achieve a unique sense of pride

in what you do, why you do it and where. Reimagine the possibilities.

Main purpose of the job

The Specialist Learning Support Assistant supports pupils

with complex medical needs to enable them to access education by providing the

medical interventions the pupil requires.

Typical Responsibilities of a role at this level

Effective

Practice

Work within the service guidelines, statutory guidance and legal

frameworks.

Engage in individual and group supervision with managers and

practice leads.

Reporting and

Accurate Recording

To maintain up to date records and data using electronic devices

and systems as directed and to provide reports as required.

To contribute to ensuring successful completion of Quality

Assurance processes within team.

Information,

Advice and Signposting

To provide information and signposting for children, young people

and families to relevant universal and specialist services in the local area

and beyond where appropriate.

Multi-Agency and

Partnership Working

Actively build relationships and networks with other professional

groups and services in the locality.

Managing Risk

and Safeguarding

To identify risk and safeguarding concerns and escalate

immediately where appropriate.

To undertake other tasks allocated manager or senior colleagues,

in keeping with the responsibilities of the grade:

Work in accordance with the Councils statutory responsibilities,

policies and service procedures and comply with equality and diversity

policies, procedures and legislation.

Maintaining customer confidentiality in accordance with the Data

Protection Act and SCC guidance.

Participate in performance appraisal and consultation with team

managers as required.

Participating in training and development

opportunities, in order to improve personal knowledge, skills and

effectiveness.

About the team

The

Specialist Learning Support Service supports children and young people aged

between 2 and 19 years old

with complex medical needs to access education by providing medical

interventions.

The service is managed, supervised, and trained by Care

Coordinators who are qualified childrens nurses

The Specialist Learning Support Assistants support children and

young people on a one-to-one basis providing medical interventions to enable

them to access education

Relevant training will be provided to achieve expertise in the

management of the medical needs of the pupil. This will be according to the

child and young persons individual health care plan.

They work under the direction of a teacher in a whole class,

group, or individual situation.

There will be a need to interpret information or situations and to

solve them as per school and Suffolk County Council policies and to refer more

complex medical issues to the Care Coordinators.

Specialist Learning Support Assistants, once trained, have a

requirement to supervise others and may demonstrate tasks to new colleagues or

give advice and guidance to them

What you will be expected to

deliver in the role

Deliver medical interventions according to

the child/young persons individual care plan as necessary. These may include gastrostomy feeding,

naso-gastric feeding, administration of emergency and regular medication, oral

suction, care of a tracheostomy tube, wound care, administration of oxygen,

monitoring oxygen saturation levels.

Significant moving and handling of pupils per their needs using

appropriate equipment as per individualised risk assessment and meeting their

daily hygiene, nutritional, respiratory, and developmental needs in the school

and community setting.

Share responsibility for emergency management of the pupil they

are allocated to with the senior management team of the school in which they

are working.

Liaise with therapy staff on a regular basis and regarding the

individual therapy goals of that pupil.

Administer medication in line with individual school policy.

Liaise with teaching staff on a regular basis

and regarding the Individual Education Plan.

Receive training and assist pupils with communication e.g.

Makaton, switches, symbols, and/or communication aid programming.

Attend training in relevant medical competencies and mandatory

training.

Supervise new team members and demonstrate tasks or give advice

and guidance to others.

Day to day tasks

may include:

Travelling

with a child/young person from their home to school in order to provide any

interventions required full training is given for this

Administering medication

Providing artificial feeding and/or other

interventions such as oral suction or oxygen

Transferring non-mobile children and young people

between different types of equipment such as seating

Although this list provides examples of what you will be doing its not

intended to be exhaustive and you will

have personal objectives linked to our People Plans and Strategies that will be

discussed and agreed with your line manager when you start.

Person Profile what you will

bring to the team

Qualifications and

professional membership

Suitable

practitioner level qualification at Level 3 or 2 years equivalent

experience

in healthcare.

Evidence of continuing

professional development

Values and

personal qualities

Demonstrates personal

values and behaviours aligned to our corporate WE ASPIRE values

Passionate about making a

positive difference for Suffolk

Committed to listening to

children and families and to working collaboratively with them to address

concerns

Specialist

knowledge skills and experience

Accurate and specific

information recording and record keeping skills

Experience of solution

focused approaches in practice

Relevant experience of

working directly with children, young people and their families

Evidence of the ability

and commitment to support and motivate children, young people and their

families

Good organisational

skills

The ability to work

independently whilst being aware of when to seek further guidance

Demonstrate a willingness

to undertake training as required to update knowledge and skills

Demonstrate the ability

to work independently as well as part of a team

Knowledge of relevant

legislation, regulations and guidance as appropriate to role (desirable)

Knowledge of associated

agencies and their working practices (desirable)

Experience of working

alongside parents who may have mental health, learning or physical disability

or sensory impairment (desirable)

Experience of working

with a wide range of agencies and communities (desirable)

Additional

requirements

The ability to work in a

variety of locations and clients homes including rural areas

A DBS check will be

undertaken for the successful candidate

If you think you have what it takes to be

Wed appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Travel requirements

Frequent Travel Essential - You will need to travel, so you must either hold a full, current

driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility

requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• a suitable Level 3 qualification or at least 2 years equivalent experience in healthcare
• an awareness and understanding of medical conditions such as epilepsy.
• experience of working directly with children or young people and their families
• good organisational skills and the ability to keep clear and accurate records
• the confidence to work independently, while knowing when to seek guidance
• a willingness to undertake specialist and mandatory training

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• a suitable Level 3 qualification or at least 2 years equivalent experience in healthcare
• an awareness and understanding of medical conditions such as epilepsy.
• experience of working directly with children or young people and their families
• good organisational skills and the ability to keep clear and accurate records
• the confidence to work independently, while knowing when to seek guidance
• a willingness to undertake specialist and mandatory training

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Suffolk County Council

Address

8 Russell Road

Ipswich

Suffolk

IP1 2BX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://careers.suffolk.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Suffolk County Council

Address

8 Russell Road

Ipswich

Suffolk

IP1 2BX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://careers.suffolk.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

PLEASE APPLY VIA SUFFOLK JOBS DIRECT JOB NUMBER 25082 AND NOT VIA NHS JOBS

Job title

Specialist

Learning Support Assistant (Medical Needs)

Job Reference

25082

Grade

and Salary

4 £29,542

per annum (pro rata)

This role

includes performance related pay progression

Service

Health and Community Services (0-19), Public Health and

Communities

Team

Inclusion

Services

Location

Countywide Hybrid and community working

Hours per week

28 hours per week (term time

only working)

Status

Post 1: Permanent

Post 2: Fixed

term/Secondment to cover an absent post holder who is on secondment, expected

to end 15 October 2027 subject to change

This role may offer the

following flexible working options

Working

part time hours (eg different hours/days to those advertised)

Job

sharing

Working

compressed hours (eg a nine-day fortnight)

Use

of flexitime / time off in lieu

Hybrid

working options, including some home working

Working

adjusted core hours (eg starting later and finishing later or other patterns)

About us

As a modern and effective council, we

understand the importance of being flexible and well-connected in the ways we

work. We focus our ambitions on doing whats right for people, our partners and

our communities - both now and for the future.

Thats why, as one of the largest employers

in Suffolk, we believe in empowering everyone. Through career variety and

collaborative working, accessible career paths and professional development.

The support and

care we offer encourages and enables you to be the best you can be. To make a

meaningful impact on the world around you. To achieve a unique sense of pride

in what you do, why you do it and where. Reimagine the possibilities.

Main purpose of the job

The Specialist Learning Support Assistant supports pupils

with complex medical needs to enable them to access education by providing the

medical interventions the pupil requires.

Typical Responsibilities of a role at this level

Effective

Practice

Work within the service guidelines, statutory guidance and legal

frameworks.

Engage in individual and group supervision with managers and

practice leads.

Reporting and

Accurate Recording

To maintain up to date records and data using electronic devices

and systems as directed and to provide reports as required.

To contribute to ensuring successful completion of Quality

Assurance processes within team.

Information,

Advice and Signposting

To provide information and signposting for children, young people

and families to relevant universal and specialist services in the local area

and beyond where appropriate.

Multi-Agency and

Partnership Working

Actively build relationships and networks with other professional

groups and services in the locality.

Managing Risk

and Safeguarding

To identify risk and safeguarding concerns and escalate

immediately where appropriate.

To undertake other tasks allocated manager or senior colleagues,

in keeping with the responsibilities of the grade:

Work in accordance with the Councils statutory responsibilities,

policies and service procedures and comply with equality and diversity

policies, procedures and legislation.

Maintaining customer confidentiality in accordance with the Data

Protection Act and SCC guidance.

Participate in performance appraisal and consultation with team

managers as required.

Participating in training and development

opportunities, in order to improve personal knowledge, skills and

effectiveness.

About the team

The

Specialist Learning Support Service supports children and young people aged

between 2 and 19 years old

with complex medical needs to access education by providing medical

interventions.

The service is managed, supervised, and trained by Care

Coordinators who are qualified childrens nurses

The Specialist Learning Support Assistants support children and

young people on a one-to-one basis providing medical interventions to enable

them to access education

Relevant training will be provided to achieve expertise in the

management of the medical needs of the pupil. This will be according to the

child and young persons individual health care plan.

They work under the direction of a teacher in a whole class,

group, or individual situation.

There will be a need to interpret information or situations and to

solve them as per school and Suffolk County Council policies and to refer more

complex medical issues to the Care Coordinators.

Specialist Learning Support Assistants, once trained, have a

requirement to supervise others and may demonstrate tasks to new colleagues or

give advice and guidance to them

What you will be expected to

deliver in the role

Deliver medical interventions according to

the child/young persons individual care plan as necessary. These may include gastrostomy feeding,

naso-gastric feeding, administration of emergency and regular medication, oral

suction, care of a tracheostomy tube, wound care, administration of oxygen,

monitoring oxygen saturation levels.

Significant moving and handling of pupils per their needs using

appropriate equipment as per individualised risk assessment and meeting their

daily hygiene, nutritional, respiratory, and developmental needs in the school

and community setting.

Share responsibility for emergency management of the pupil they

are allocated to with the senior management team of the school in which they

are working.

Liaise with therapy staff on a regular basis and regarding the

individual therapy goals of that pupil.

Administer medication in line with individual school policy.

Liaise with teaching staff on a regular basis

and regarding the Individual Education Plan.

Receive training and assist pupils with communication e.g.

Makaton, switches, symbols, and/or communication aid programming.

Attend training in relevant medical competencies and mandatory

training.

Supervise new team members and demonstrate tasks or give advice

and guidance to others.

Day to day tasks

may include:

Travelling

with a child/young person from their home to school in order to provide any

interventions required full training is given for this

Administering medication

Providing artificial feeding and/or other

interventions such as oral suction or oxygen

Transferring non-mobile children and young people

between different types of equipment such as seating

Although this list provides examples of what you will be doing its not

intended to be exhaustive and you will

have personal objectives linked to our People Plans and Strategies that will be

discussed and agreed with your line manager when you start.

Person Profile what you will

bring to the team

Qualifications and

professional membership

Suitable

practitioner level qualification at Level 3 or 2 years equivalent

experience

in healthcare.

Evidence of continuing

professional development

Values and

personal qualities

Demonstrates personal

values and behaviours aligned to our corporate WE ASPIRE values

Passionate about making a

positive difference for Suffolk

Committed to listening to

children and families and to working collaboratively with them to address

concerns

Specialist

knowledge skills and experience

Accurate and specific

information recording and record keeping skills

Experience of solution

focused approaches in practice

Relevant experience of

working directly with children, young people and their families

Evidence of the ability

and commitment to support and motivate children, young people and their

families

Good organisational

skills

The ability to work

independently whilst being aware of when to seek further guidance

Demonstrate a willingness

to undertake training as required to update knowledge and skills

Demonstrate the ability

to work independently as well as part of a team

Knowledge of relevant

legislation, regulations and guidance as appropriate to role (desirable)

Knowledge of associated

agencies and their working practices (desirable)

Experience of working

alongside parents who may have mental health, learning or physical disability

or sensory impairment (desirable)

Experience of working

with a wide range of agencies and communities (desirable)

Additional

requirements

The ability to work in a

variety of locations and clients homes including rural areas

A DBS check will be

undertaken for the successful candidate

If you think you have what it takes to be

Wed appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

Travel requirements

Frequent Travel Essential - You will need to travel, so you must either hold a full, current

driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility

requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means.

Qualifications

Essential

• a suitable Level 3 qualification or at least 2 years equivalent experience in healthcare
• an awareness and understanding of medical conditions such as epilepsy.
• experience of working directly with children or young people and their families
• good organisational skills and the ability to keep clear and accurate records
• the confidence to work independently, while knowing when to seek guidance
• a willingness to undertake specialist and mandatory training